The English side will pay 75 million euros upfront, with up to 15 million euros of add-ons and incentives attached, split into three potential payments of five million euros.

ESPN FC was informed by the Spanish sources that, with the way the deal would be structured, United will most likely end up paying 80 million euros for the 26-year-old.

It remains to be seen whether that figure will tally with the figures publicly released by United, given recent disputes over exact money paid in deals between English clubs and the Spanish giants, most notably those for Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale.

The stated fee would match what Madrid paid to sign James Rodriguez from Monaco earlier this summer, and would help club president Florentino Perez to appease the club's fans amid dissatisfaction at the sale of Di Maria.

"It is not fully done, but he is close to a transfer," Ancelotti said. "He came to say goodbye. We thanked him for what he has done for this team and we wished him luck for the future. It is not official, but it is resolved."

Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso -- formerly of Liverpool -- also tweeted: "Thank you for everything Fideo! I wish you the best, even though it is Manchester United :) We will never forget the zigzag in extra time in Lisbon."

However, United boss Louis van Gaal, speaking after his side's 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, remained coy over the deal.

He told Sky Sports: "I think always the club has to announce it and when we are thinking it's the right time for a transfer then we come to you and say, 'OK, we have bought that player or the other player,' but at this time we cannot say anything."

He confirmed he was a fan of Di Maria but added: "I like [Lionel] Messi also. I like [Arturo] Vidal also. We have a lot of players in this world that I like but they cannot come always to Manchester United."